OPINIONS PLEASE.. (LONG)

Okay.. I bought this product off ebay.. and it appears to be pretty kewl. I would love to have it for Dan and myself, but was sincerely thinking of giving it to my dad for Christmas. He always liked gadgets.. vcr's.. cameras.. stuff.. Here's the deal tho.. when eating out sunday I noticed that on a couple occasions that dad's hands were shaking. This is the first time I've noticed it. Yes he's getting up there in age. My sister called yesterday wanting to know if I wanted to go in on a gift my mom said she wants.. for her and dad. It's a GPS thingy to help navigate. I told her about the gift I bought.. explained that Dan and I would like it.. but was going to give it to dad for Christmas. I mentioned dad's hands shaking and I wasn't sure if it would *bother him* to have this now. I wouldn't want to give him something that may frustrate him or draw attention to his hands shaking. She said she noticed them shaking also on Sunday and didn't know what was up with that.. could be just something that day.. Sooo I said I may just go in on the GPS and keep the video/picture camera.. either way they're getting the GPS.. wonder if I should ask mom her opinionshe would be able to let me know more than anyone I reckon..?? BUT.. my dad also only has dial up on his PC.. not sure if that matters with this *toy*.. does anyone know.. ?? what's your opinion?? Dad does have a camcorder from way back when they first came out.. don't think he used it much.. mom always yelled at him to get it out and use it more and they don't have a digital camera now.. **BELOW IS A QUOTE FROM THE EBAY PRODUCT SITE** ________________________________________________________________ This new 2007 model is the most advanced digital camcorder in the line of Silicon Valley Peripherals (SVP) digital products. Shoot full-length videos and play them back on the Digital Camcorder feature, you'll have the ability to record continuous video and play it back with audio, at an incredible D1 Resolution 720x480 with 30 frames per second quality recordings! It uses MPEG4 technology which means you can record and watch DVD video quality in a very small file size. This makes sharing video on the internet, email, computer or PDA, or mobile phone fast and easy! The 32MB of built in digital memory can hold videos and photos, it also records directly onto Secure Digital memory cards (not included), and with an expandable memory card slot you can add up to a 4GB memory card for storage of over 10 hours of videos! Recorded digital videos can be played back with sound right on the camera, or use the AV and USB cables we include free to view videos instantly with your family and friends by plugging the camera directly into your TV (AV cables included), automatically download your pictures to your PC for storage or playback, or transfer them to CDs, DVD's or Floppy Discs for printing, storage and playback later. This camera works as a full motion digital video camera, it allows for continuous video and audio movie recording. This model also features Electronic Image Stabilization, which will help you take better looking videos with the press of a button! To see how this feature will help you take better videos, click VIDEO STABILIZER on the MENU of the interactive video about the cameras features below. _____________________________________________________ I guess I think the *toy* would get used more by Dan and myself.. but I don't want to be a tight ass and not give it to my dad *as intended* if he would enjoy it

Hi Rhonda!.. I would ask your mom's opinion.. she would know if the camera is something your dad would enjoy and if the shaking (if it is everyday) would effect him using it. My Grandfather had parkinsons and I know all to well about the thought that goes into buying him gifts. Will he be able to use it.. are the buttons big enough.. will he drop it.. etc.. So, I always seek opinions before buying something. In your case, seek opinions before keeping it.. lol. Best of luck! Beckie

Thanks Beckie.. I'll be like Dad forsure and play with it right up until christmas *if he gets it*.. just like he use to do our toys

I am jealous, I always have such a hard time deciding what to get my Mom for Christmas as she doesn't have an interest in techie toys. I think any one of the options you go with will please your father as it will be coming from you. This brings back a favorite memory of mine. My Dad was always opposed to getting cable television because he was old school and didn't feel that was a wise used of money. So every time I went home I saw the same routine, Dad going outside to rotate the antennae to bring in a fuzzy hardly worth watching tv picture on one of the 5 channels he could receive. So in 1997 I called Mom from my Chicago office and told her that I ordered cable for them and that I would pay for installation and the monthly cable bill on an ongoing basis. Now the truth was that I had not ordered it yet because I knew my Dad well and realized the he would through a fit, and he did. "This is my house and I will decide what does and doesn't happen around here, blah, blah, blah." However he calmed down and finally agreed with Mom to let me get him the cable. We lost Pops in 1999 and one of his most enjoyed pleasures in his last couple of years of life was the gift of cable television. He loved watching old re-runs of Mash, Bonanza, The Waltons, etc., etc. and he expressed his appreciation of the "gift" many times prior to his death. You give whatever you feel in your heart is right to give to your Dad and it will turn out just fine. Ron

I was surprised to hear mom wanting the GPS as SHE is not techie.. and dad is getting bad in seeing to drive.. altho he does have an appt at the end of this month for cataract surgery. I asked my sister where the heck are they going to drive that they need a GPS.. but alas.. if it makes momma happy.. we all are happyso it doesn't matter.. she probably heard one of her sisters saying they have it.. so now she wants one I got mom the cutco knives that she asked for. I had them UPS to her *since she's home all day* with a note that said DON'T OPEN 'TIL CHRISTMAS.. she missed the note and opened it. But I told my sister that still didn't explain how she cut her thumb.. she MUST have actually been using one.. oh well.. if it makes momma happy.. we all are happy your dad kinda sounds like a Archie Bunker.. at least that's who I'm picuring when you speak about him God love him.. I loved Archie..

You are such a GREAT daughter..... In my HONEST opinion......(for all its worth) Keep the camera for yourself.... video cameras aren't used much by the older generation.... However, you could get some great videos of your parents and have those after they pass on. The newer stuff is, the more high tech, the harder it is for people who didn't keep up on technology to begin with. What you could do is take lots of videos and make mom and dad copies. Its easy to pop a disc in the DVD player. The GPS system is a WONDERFUL idea. It is practical and logical for your parents (who you said are getting older in age). I have navigation in my truck, and even though it is 'techie' toy....it is a 'simple techie' toy. It walks you through whatever you want to do. I was thinking of buying my mother one for Christmas as well. Either way.....you are a WONDERFUL daughter.... your parents are lucky to have such a thoughtful daughter. Big Hugs, Jen

thanks Jen.. I appreciate your honest opinion.. it's worth alot to ME

I think, and ya know how important that is , if your Dad didn't play with the Video camera much he won't play with the new toy either. I bet he'd enjoy the GPS especially because him and your Mom would be playing with it together and they would make a few more memories with that. Just a thought. If they wanted to "borrow" the other toy from you and Daniel they could right? Hugs. Spark P.S. Kiss the ole man for me